Raising the Stakes for Wildcat Excellence

2026 BIENNIAL CONFERENCE

JUNE 4-6

Embassy Suites by Hilton Convention Center Las Vegas
3600 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89169


Join us on the first and only day of the conference VIRTUALLY! The ZOOM information will be provided on Thursday, June 4th prior to the start of the conference.

Virtual Conference Registration Fee: $40

Join us for an exceptional time of networking and developing our role as leaders in our Association and local alumni chapters. The FVSU NAA, Inc. Biennial Conference is to focus on a variety of strategic areas aimed at strengthening alumni engagement and supporting the growth and sustainability of alumni chapters and fundraising efforts. The host is District IX and the newly chartered, Las Vegas Alumni Chapter.

Sponsorship & Digital Advertising Souvenir Journal

We invite brands, agencies, and organizations to participate as official sponsors and digital advertisers through high-visibility placements across our digital platforms, event materials, and owned media channels. These sponsorship opportunities provide strategic brand exposure, audience engagement, and measurable digital performance. All advertising materials must be delivered by May 8, 2026. Fee is $75. Submit your ads at fvsunaamarcom@gmail.com.

Sponsors will gain access to targeted audiences through:

  • Website and digital platform placements

  • Email and newsletter integrations

  • Social and streaming promotions

  • Event-based digital signage and branded media

  • Sponsored content and campaign integrations

All placements are professionally managed to ensure brand integrity, consistency, and compliance with digital publishing standards.

  • To ensure optimal display, brand quality, and campaign performance, all advertising and sponsorship assets must comply with the following technical standards.

    Asset Type: Accepted Formats
    Static Images: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF
    Vector Graphics: SVG, EPS, AI
    Video: MP4 (H.264), MOV
    Logos: PNG (transparent), SVG, AI
    Documents: PDF (press-ready)

  • Image Ads

    • Resolution: 72–300 DPI

    • Color Mode: RGB

    • Max File Size: 2 MB (static), 5 MB (animated)

    • No embedded text smaller than 8pt

    • Ad sizes: 8 1/2” x 11” / 5” x 7” vertical.

    • Must be optimized for web delivery

    Video Ads

    • Format: MP4 (H.264)

    • Resolution: 1920×1080 (16:9) or 1080×1080 (1:1)

    • Max Length: 30–60 seconds

    • Max File Size: 100 MB

    • Audio: AAC, 48kHz

    • No autoplay with sound (unless approved)

  • All sponsor and advertiser content must:

    • Be brand-safe and compliant

    • Contain no offensive, political, or discriminatory material

    • Avoid misleading claims or prohibited products

    We reserve the right to reject or request revisions for any creative that does not meet brand, quality, or compliance standards.

  • Sponsors will receive:

    • Placement confirmation

    • Campaign start and end dates

    • Performance metrics (impressions, clicks, views, or engagement when applicable)

    • End-of-campaign summary report


THE AGENDA

  • ATTIRE: Casual, Blue & Gold, FVSU Gear

    3:00PM–5:30PM: Early Registration & Check-In

    5:30PM–8:00PM: Alumni Mixer “Wildcat Royale”

    • Kick off the conference with an exciting networking event in the Embassy Suites Terrace Bar. Connect with fellow alumni, engage with university representatives, and enjoy an evening of camaraderie as we set the stage for an impactful conference experience.

    • Includes two complimentary beverages and snacks

    • Pick up conference materials

    8:00PM: Free time to explore the city / Late night meet-up / Get rest to prepare for Friday 

  • ATTIRE: Business Casual, Business Professional

    7:00AM – 8:00AM | Conference Check In & Breakfast 

    8:00AM – 8:45AM | Conference Opening & Call to Order 

    8:45AM – 9:45AM: State of the University Address: Dr. Paul Jones, FVSU President 

    10:00AM – 11:00AM: PLENARY SESSION I “Bet on Your Voice: FVSU Alumni Legislative Engagement”
    Dr. Velma McCray, Former FVSU NAA President

    1:00PM – 4:00PM: Officer Presentation and Updates

    • State of the National Alumni Association: Garren Walker, FVSU NAA President

    • Financial Report: Kasie Swayne, FVSU NAA Treasurer & Yashica Woods, FVSU NAA Financial Secretary

    • Constitution & Bylaws Updates: Joshua Brown, FVSU NAA Parliamentarian

    • Election Results

    • Installation of Officers

    • Closing Business Remarks

    4:15PM – 5:00PM: Las Vegas Alumni Chapter Chartering Ceremony 

    5:00PM – 6:00PM: Dinner 

    6:00PM: Closing Remarks/Dismissal: Presiding 

    8:00PM: Explore the city/Alumni Night Out “From the Valley to Vegas: FVSU Alumni Night” 

  • 7:00AM – 8:00AM: Breakfast

    8:00AM – 11:00AM: PLENARY SESSION II “Blue & Gold: All In on Fundraising”
    Dr. Antonio Cuyler

    11:00AM – 12:00PM: Wrap up/Dismissal 

    12:30PM Pick-up: Departure for Big Bus Tour (Attire: Casual, Cool and Comfortable, Walking shoes! )

  • SESSION LEADER: BLUE & GOLD ALL IN ON FUNDRAISING

    Antonio C. Cuyler, Ph.D. (he/him/his) is Professor of Music in Entrepreneurship & Leadership, Faculty Associate in the Africana Studies Center, Faculty Associate in Voice & Opera in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD), and hired through the Provost’s Anti-Racism Hiring Initiative (AHI) at the University of Michigan. He has taught Fundraising and Grant Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Florida State University (FSU), and the University of Michigan. He has also reviewed more than 400 grants for funding agencies such as the Arts Council of Fairfax County, Arts Council of Indianapolis, Council on Culture & Arts (COCA), Cuyahoga Arts, Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, International Association of Blacks in Dance, National Endowment for the Arts, OPERAAmerica, and U. S. Department of Education. His professional fundraising experience includes serving as a Research Analyst for the College of Motion Picture Arts, College of Music, former College of Visual Arts, Theatre & Dance, and Ringling Museum at FSU, and co-chair of the Finance and Fundraising committee on the Arts Administrators of Color Network’s board that procured a transformative gift from Mackenzie Scott in 2021. Most recently, he procured more than $300k from the Wallace Foundation and the University of Michigan to conduct and support his research and teaching.


  • SESSION LEADER: ADVOCACY: A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO POSITIVE OUTCOMES

    Dr. Velma R. McCray is a seasoned consultant and retired leader from the Georgia Department of Human Services with more than 50 years of distinguished experience in education, human services, leadership development, grant writing, program evaluation, and community advocacy. Her work has impacted communities across the United States and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.

    AREAS OF EXPERTISE

    • Leadership development and community mobilization

    • Career development, training, and advisement

    • Grant writing, proposal development, and program evaluation

    • Needs assessment, strategic planning, and civic engagement

    LEADERSHIP & SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS

    • Organized advocacy efforts that contributed to the election of the first African American County Commissioner in Fort Bend County, Texas

    • Became the first African American woman to run for school board in Clayton County, Georgia

    • Facilitated GAABSU workshops on legislative engagement and effective leadership

    • Served on the Legal Defense Coalition for the Preservation of Georgia’s State HBCUs

    EDUCATION & HONORS

    Education: Doctorate, Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies, University of Houston; Master’s, Vocational and Career Development, Georgia State University; B.A., Social Work, Fort Valley State College.

    Selected Honors: FVSU Hall of Fame Inductee; Founders Day Speaker; Parade Marshal; Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund 5th Annual Community Award; Alumna of the Year in Social Work.

    Legacy of Service: Former President-Elect and President of the Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association, creator of The Vision newsletter, former FVSU Foundation Board member, and supporter of the establishment of an Endowment Fund with the FVSU Foundation.


Official Hotel and Airline of the 2026 Biennial Conference